When TEFL Workplaces Go Wrong: Navigating Challenging Student Behaviour

Teaching English abroad often looks like a dream: cherry blossom-filled commutes, smiling students, and rewarding cultural exchanges. But what happens when the classroom reality includes name-calling, unwanted touching, and an administration that does nothing?

One ALT recently described working at three different elementary schools in the same town. The first school was a pleasure, the second manageable, and the third… a different world. Here, students routinely shouted insults like “fat” and “old” at their foreign teachers. One male teacher, who was balding, endured constant chants of “Hage!” (baldy) alongside students rubbing his head and mocking him with “tsuru tsuru” (smooth, smooth).

Worse, some children even pulled up teachers’ shirts. And these behaviours weren’t limited to foreign teachers—Japanese teachers faced the same treatment. The school’s response? Zero consequences.

If you’ve experienced something similar, you are not alone. Let’s unpack what’s happening and, more importantly, what you can do about it.

Why This Happens

Students who behave this way aren’t necessarily “bad kids.” Often, they lack clear boundaries at school and at home. In some Japanese elementary schools, discipline is light, and emotional regulation skills are not always prioritised in the curriculum. When children see that there are no consequences for being disrespectful, the behaviour escalates.

Additionally, foreign teachers can become easy targets. You stand out physically and culturally, making you a focal point for children who want a reaction. The lack of disciplinary systems sometimes stems from the school not knowing how to handle these new dynamics, so they choose to ignore them.

The Cost of Ignoring Bad Behaviour

For teachers, unchecked rudeness isn’t just frustrating—it’s damaging. Constant insults and physical violations can erode your confidence, increase stress, and even lead to burnout or anxiety. The message this sends to students is also toxic: it teaches them that cruelty has no consequences.

Moreover, when a school tolerates bad behaviour across the board, it creates an unsafe environment for everyone. Learning stops. Relationships break down. The classroom becomes a place to endure, not grow.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are practical steps you can take.

First, document everything. Keep a simple log of incidents: what was said or done, when, and in front of whom. This creates a record if you need to escalate your concerns.

Second, speak directly with your supervisor or the head teacher. Be calm and professional. Explain that the behaviour is not just personal rudeness but is impacting your ability to teach effectively. Use “I” statements: “I feel uncomfortable when students pull up my shirt. This makes it hard to maintain a respectful classroom.”

Third, establish clear, consistent boundaries with your students. Use simple English (or Japanese) phrases like “No, thank you” or “That is not okay.” Show, without anger, that the behaviour will stop the lesson or activity.

Fourth, consider your employer. If you work through a dispatch company, they have a responsibility to support you. Raise formal complaints if the school refuses to act. You should not have to endure bullying, from children or anyone else.

Finally, know your limits. Some schools will never change. In those cases, you may need to request a transfer or look for a new position. Your well-being matters more than any one job.

When to Walk Away

No teaching position is worth your mental health. If you have tried everything and the school still refuses to address students who insult, touch, and degrade you, it may be time to go. The best decision you can make is to leave a toxic placement and find a school that values you and your students.

Your experience does not have to define your entire TEFL journey. Many schools are filled with kind, respectful students and supportive staff. You deserve to work in one of them.